Power To Save: Composting Rocket

Wayne Highlands School District in Wayne County has a new learning tool -- a rocket. Don't worry, students won't be blasting off into space. This rocket is used for composting.

The rocket is an enclosed food composter at the Wayne Highlands School District.

"It is one of a kind in Pennsylvania and this region. We're proud to
say we're the only school in the area that has something like this,"
said teacher Dave Wacker.

The food composter idea came to pass from a group of four seventh
graders four years ago. They were doing a project that's part of the
Lackawanna College environmental program.

"It was just supposed to be a small environmental project for your
school. Some people made small wind turbines or a drainage garden. I was
in seventh grade science class learning about recycling and composting
and thought that might be a good idea for our school," said junior Liam
Carmody.

"The school took it beyond what we could have obviously and it was
interesting to see the community get involved as well," said junior Nate
Mansfield.

Wayne Highlands School District officials worked with the county
commissioners and DEP to secure a $50,000 grant to make the rocket a
reality on campus.

"This is something that's implemented across all grade levels. So we
have kindergarteners all the way through 12th graders that are taking
part in this every day in the cafeteria," said Wayne Highlands
Superintendent Greg Frigoletto.

"They're learning things that they can see real-life applications
for. That keeps them engaged and keeps them enthused," said Wayne County
Commissioner Brian Smith.

At the end of lunch, students dump their unused food into assigned
buckets to help separate food and liquid waste from garbage. The food
waste is dumped into the Rocket at various times throughout the day
along with a mulch blend to help create the compost.

The name Rocket is really appropriate with this composter. Composting
is usually a very slow process but it only takes 14 days to go from the
front of this rocket and end up in a trailer.

Compost generated by the Rocket is used by school maintenance workers.

"We take it up in our storage area up in the field. Then we'll use it
on the grounds for our planting areas," explained director of
facilities Bob Rogers.

If you want to see a live demonstration or are curious about the
future of the Rocket, check out the workshop happening at Honesdale High
School Wednesday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m.